Press Release: Commission presents report on plant proteins in the light of the meat and bone meal ban

On 19.3.01, the European Commission presented its report on the supply of plant proteins to satisfy the additional demand for plant protein in animal feed. The demand mainly stems from the ban on uses of processed animal proteins (PAP) in farmed livestock feed adopted by the Council in December 2000 to reinforce guarantees to consumers on the safety of their food. Its analysis of a number of key options to promote the cultivation of plant proteins in the EU leads to the conclusion that they are either excessively costly, have particular WTO implications or are not well suited to replace PAP. Moreover, the relatively limited quantities of soya meal needed to satisfy this additional demand for protein can easily be imported, according to the Communication adopted on 19.3.01, adding only some 5% to current imports of soya meal.